Ipswich: Travellers set up on St Clement’s Hospital site - Suffolk

From EADT24

Concerns have been raised for patients at a hospital in Ipswich after Travellers moved on to the site.

Around 15 caravans began arriving on land behind St Clement’s Hospital in Foxhall Road, on Tuesday.

One member of staff, who asked not to be named, said the secure patients who are allowed to wander in the hospital grounds could be affected because it is felt there could be a conflict if they came into contact with the Travellers.

The hospital is owned by Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, the county’s mental health service.

One member of the public, who asked not to be named, said there appeared to be a number of families on the site.

A Suffolk Police spokeswoman said officers have been made aware but added no problems have been reported.

She said: “Police are aware that Travellers are currently on the St Clement’s site and will be working with Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust to resolve the situation. Officers will continue to monitor the issue.”

Leigh Fleming, commercial director at NSFT, added: “We are aware that Travellers have arrived on the St Clement’s Hospital site and we are liaising with the relevant bodies as to the most appropriate action. We are trying to resolve this as quickly as external agencies enable us to.”

The trust denied the Travellers were having any impact on patients’ leave